Her bear bounded into the picture, its eyes bright. It huffed, a bit of drool at its lips. Groaning the same way she sometimes groaned during sex, the bear bumped its head against Elaine’s rib cage. When it couldn’t break its bonds, the wanton beast rolled over on its back and showed Connor its tummy.
Stop that. I can’t deal with this level of temptation first thing in the morning.
“Feeling better?” His voice was gravelly from sleep.
“A little.”
“Just for the record, lady, I like the way you wake up. I like the way you wokemeup even more.”
“Connor, I feel so ashamed. I almost ravished you.”
“That’s a stretch.” He grinned. “Besides, I’m not complaining. Elaine, don’t be hard on yourself for wanting to feel good. People like us need a physical outlet sometimes. Listen, I know we said we’d take this slowly and I’m not pushing anything. I’m just saying if you ever feel…frustrated, come to me. I’ll make you feel better.”
She had to smile. “A no-strings-attached quickie?”
“If you like.”
“That’s very charitable of you. Helping out a widow in need.”
“I do it all the time. As you probably figured out from all of Lloyd’s stories, I’m popular with the widowed community. Practically a saint.”
“Someone needs to give you an award for humanitarianism.” Her laugh sounded forced. She knew he was trying to keep things light, but the reference to their fraught conversation at the party added an edge to their words. She prayed he wasn’t still angry at her. He couldn’t help his history, and she was certainly not in any position to judge him.
He reached for her hand, and his face lost all trace of its previous merriment. His eyes appeared darker. The lines around his mouth hardened as he contemplated her face. He looked serious and sexy and way too tempting for her peace of mind. “I mean it, Elaine. I’m not just trying to score a quickie. I want to be here for you in every way. If you’re in need of anything, I want you to come to me. Whatever you need, I’ll give it to you.” His lips turned up once again in the grin that was slowly and surely devastating her in an unfamiliar way. “No matter how often you need it.”
“Thank you, Saint Connor.” With another nervous laugh, she elbowed him. “I’m going to check on the kids.”
“I’ll join you.”
They headed into the living area of the cabin, and she realized how it must look, with Connor right behind her. Josh must have suspicions about whether or not they were sleeping together.
Of course, they had slept together. Just nottogethertogether.
Any concern about Josh’s suspicions flew out the window when she glimpsed the tension in the doctor’s stance. He stared out the front window, clutching the curtain. His knuckles were white.
Was there something wrong with the kids? “Josh?”
He snapped out of his funk. “Oh, hi guys. Feeling better, Elaine?”
“A little groggy.”
“Valerian will do that.” He walked over and reached for her wrist, checking her pulse. After a moment, he grabbed the stethoscope from around his neck and put the eartips in his ears. He listened to her heartbeat. She couldn’t miss the furrow of his eyebrows or the way his breath escaped in a quiet sigh.
There really was something wrong with her. He just didn’t have the heart to tell her how wrong it was.
Connor watched him carefully as well. “Thanks for staying the night. We appreciate it.”
“Yeah,” she added. “Thank you, Josh.”
“Not a problem. I wanted to be on hand in case the symptoms reoccurred.” This time, his sigh was more audible. He removed his stethoscope and put his hands on Elaine’s shoulders. “I want you to rest today. Really rest. Bed rest.”
“Why? I feel fine.”
“Elaine, Andy and Layla may have been the ones who shifted last night, but you suffered just as much emotional trauma. You passed out, remember? In fact, it was a good thing Connor was standing so close so he could catch you.”
She glanced at Connor. Her hero blushed.
“By all means, I don’t want you to feel like an invalid,” Josh continued, “but one day in bed isn’t too much to ask, is it? You need to recharge. Can the kids stay with someone for the day?”
